Church of the Poison Mind
Encyclopedia
"Church of the Poison Mind" is a 1983 hit single for Culture Club
. It was the first single to be released from their second album Colour by Numbers
.
The song is appreciated partly for its Motown feel, indeed the opening of "Church of the Poison Mind" sounds similar to Stevie Wonder
's hit, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)
". The harmonica solo was played by Jud Lander. The subject of the song is an attack on the attitudes of certain (unnamed) churches and faiths on homosexuality
.
The song reached #2, being kept off the top spot by David Bowie
's "Let's Dance". It was a Top 10 hit in Canada and the US. In the latter it was still climbing the charts when "Karma Chameleon
" was released elsewhere, and subsequently became a huge hit. This prompted Epic Records
to release "Karma" ahead of schedule. In many countries its b-side was the heavily-percussive street song "Man Shake" and in some others, such as the USA, it was the song "Mystery Boy". Both songs were on the 12" in many countries, except Canada where it was issued with an extended version of previous hit "I'll Tumble 4 Ya".
In this single, Helen Terry
became famous as the female backup singer with such a powerful voice.
B. "Man Shake"
(Released in UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden)
A. "Church of the Poison Mind"
B. "Mystery Boy"
(Released in Peru, USA.)
B1. "Mystery Boy"
B2. "Man Shake"
(Released at least in UK, Australia, Germany, Greece (different cover), Italy, Mexico.)
A. "Church of the Poison Mind"
B. "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" (extended dance mix)
(Released in Canada.)
Culture Club
Culture Club are a British rock band who were part of the 1980s New Romantic movement. The original band consisted of Boy George , Mikey Craig , Roy Hay and Jon Moss...
. It was the first single to be released from their second album Colour by Numbers
Colour by Numbers
Colour by Numbers is the second album by New Wave band Culture Club, released in 1983.-Overview:The album features several international hits such as "Church of the Poison Mind" and the worldwide hit "Karma Chameleon" which had sales of over one million in the United Kingdom alone...
.
The song is appreciated partly for its Motown feel, indeed the opening of "Church of the Poison Mind" sounds similar to Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's hit, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)
Uptight (Everything's Alright)
"Uptight " is a 1966 hit single recorded by Stevie Wonder for the Tamla label. One of his most popular early singles, "Uptight " was the first Stevie Wonder single to be co-written by the artist....
". The harmonica solo was played by Jud Lander. The subject of the song is an attack on the attitudes of certain (unnamed) churches and faiths on homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
.
The song reached #2, being kept off the top spot by David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's "Let's Dance". It was a Top 10 hit in Canada and the US. In the latter it was still climbing the charts when "Karma Chameleon
Karma Chameleon
"Karma Chameleon" is a song by British New Wave band Culture Club, featured on the group's 1983 album Colour by Numbers. The song spent three weeks at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, becoming the group's biggest hit and only US #1 among their many top ten hits...
" was released elsewhere, and subsequently became a huge hit. This prompted Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
to release "Karma" ahead of schedule. In many countries its b-side was the heavily-percussive street song "Man Shake" and in some others, such as the USA, it was the song "Mystery Boy". Both songs were on the 12" in many countries, except Canada where it was issued with an extended version of previous hit "I'll Tumble 4 Ya".
In this single, Helen Terry
Helen Terry
Helen Terry is a British singer, known for her backing vocal work with Culture Club. As a solo performer, she scored a Top 40 hit single in 1984 with "Love Lies Lost", and released one album in 1986, Blue Notes....
became famous as the female backup singer with such a powerful voice.
7"
A. "Church of the Poison Mind"B. "Man Shake"
(Released in UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden)
A. "Church of the Poison Mind"
B. "Mystery Boy"
(Released in Peru, USA.)
12"
A. "Church of the Poison Mind"B1. "Mystery Boy"
B2. "Man Shake"
(Released at least in UK, Australia, Germany, Greece (different cover), Italy, Mexico.)
A. "Church of the Poison Mind"
B. "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" (extended dance mix)
(Released in Canada.)